Resized cases not fitting in chamber

[vanilla_gorilla]

I'm having a problem with my .357 and .38 cases not fitting in the chambers of my GP-100. They fit great and shoot fine in my Model 28-2, but resizing leaves the slightest little "shoulder" just above the rim. Mic'ing the cases shows the resized ones are .001 inch wider than factory cases, which fit fine.

I'm using a Lee carbide die and the "shoulder" is the area covered by the shell holder when the brass is in the shell holder on the press. Any suggestions?

 

[loadedround]

It's possible you have an "out of spec" shell holder. Two suggestions; one try to borrow another shell holder of a different make and try that; or two, call Lee and discuss the problem with them. Seems easy enough to correct that problem.

 

[Matt Dillon]

Place a case into the shell holder, then raise it up entirely into the resizing\decapping die. Is there any space between the die and the shell holder? If so, lower the die until there is no space between the die and the shell holder. You would be surprised how much some presses flex, and until you actually put it under stress, you may have a small gap which you don't see unless you place a case in the press and raise it all the way up.

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

You know, I'd made sure that the shellholder just touched the die when setting up the die, but I gave no thought to the possibility of flex. Thanks.

 

[benedict1]

In the meantime, if you have the Lee Factory Crimp Die, run a few finished rounds through it and see if they will then chamber. That's part of what the FCD can do for you--it post sizes any bulges that might show up due to die misalignments earlier in the process.

Since I started using FCDs over a year ago I have not hand one single round in five different calibers fail to chamber.

I would still contact Lee about it--they could tell you immediately what he fix is, or if you need a new shell holder. Call 262-673-3075

 

[ReloaderFred]

Another area to look at would be if you've shot any quantity of .38's in the chambers and then followed up with .357's, you may have a buildup of carbon, etc. This is common in these revolvers, and you have to use a good bore brush to remove the buildup. Just something else to check.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[The Bushmaster]

Thanks Fred...I was just going to mention that...So many people (like me) just don't shoot .38 Specials in .357 magnum guns. Why should I...I have both...